Han Changming looked up and saw a plain-faced young man standing before him.
The young man wore a loose green robe. His waist was as thick as a barrel, and his face gleamed with a greasy sheen. Rolls of fat layered over his belly, and the fat on his cheeks squeezed his eyes into narrow slits. One might not even notice them without looking closely.
Han Changjiong, seventh in the Chang generation, was at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Han Changming smiled. "Seventh Brother, it's been a long time. I've become a First-Rank Low-Grade Talisman Maker and was assigned to Kuixing Market."
Han Changjiong was quite skilled at making talismans. He had become a First-Rank Low-Grade Talisman Maker five years ago, so his skills should be even better now.
"So that's it. I heard Thirteenth Uncle say the family was sending a First-Rank Talisman Maker here. I thought it would be Fourth Sister. Didn't expect it to be you! Good lad. I knew you'd become a First-Rank Talisman Maker. Heh heh, I'm a First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Maker now."
Han Changjiong looked rather pleased with himself as he said this.
"You call yourself a First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Maker just because you can make two kinds of First-Rank High-Grade talismans? Aren't you afraid people will laugh when they hear that?" a teasing voice suddenly rang out.
A room door opened, and a blue-robed man in his early forties stepped out.
Han Dehai, thirteenth in the De generation, was at the eighth level of Qi Refining.
Seeing Han Changming, Han Dehai smiled. "Changming has become a First-Rank Talisman Maker. Not bad. But don't be like your Seventh Brother, learning a little and then trumpeting it everywhere."
"Thirteenth Uncle, I'm not trumpeting it everywhere! Ninth Brother isn't an outsider. Besides, I'm already close to a thirty-percent success rate with Earth Wall Talismans and Flying Talismans. Once I raise my success rate with Chain Fireball Talismans to thirty percent, I'll be a First-Rank High-Grade Talisman Maker." Han Changjiong was rather smug.
Han Changming smiled. He and Han Changjiong had grown up together, and he knew how much his cousin liked to show off.
Han Dehai glared at Han Changjiong and scolded him without holding back. "You're so capable, are you? Then why did you lose to that Ye Family girl at the last Talisman Maker Exchange Meeting?"
"I hadn't learned to make Earth Wall Talismans and Flying Talismans yet. I definitely won't lose to her at the next Talisman Maker Exchange Meeting," Han Changjiong said confidently.
"Show Changming how things work here, and take him around the market. Don't let him leave the market on his own. I'm going to talk to Seventh Sister about something."
"Heh heh, Ninth Brother, this is your first time at Kuixing Market. Come on, Seventh Brother will treat you to a good meal."
Han Changjiong waved a broad hand and strode downstairs, brimming with gusto. Han Changming hurried after him.
As they walked, Han Changjiong introduced Kuixing Market to Han Changming.
Kuixing Market was divided into five areas: east, south, west, north, and central. The eastern district dealt in raw materials, such as talisman paper, crafting materials, spirit herbs, and demon cores. The southern district was mostly inns, restaurants, and pawnshops. The western district had a mixed assortment of shops selling classics, pills, magical artifacts, and talismans. There weren't many shops in the northern district; instead, a section of open ground had been set aside for Rogue Cultivators to set up stalls. As for the central district, it was the busiest part of the market, with four large shops. They say that if you could afford the price, even magical treasures were for sale.
The four large shops were Liuyue Pavilion, Divine Weapon Pavilion, Tinghai Pavilion, and Hundred Beasts Palace.
Liuyue Pavilion mainly sold and bought raw materials. The talisman paper Han Changjiong used to make talismans came from there, and bulk purchases earned a discount.
The name Divine Weapon Pavilion made it clear that it sold weapons. It also accepted custom orders, and they say even magical treasures could be ordered.
Tinghai Pavilion was a shop run by Ocean Listening Pavilion. It sold a wide variety of goods, from raw materials to magical treasures.
Hundred Beasts Palace mainly dealt in spirit beasts, spirit birds, and spirit insects, and it also had a small beast-fighting arena where cultivators could pit beasts against one another.
Kuixing Market was crowded and a mixed bag, with both upright gentlemen and demonic cultivators who murdered people for their treasures. Han Changjiong warned Han Changming to keep his wits about him, not to imagine that good fortune fell from the sky, and not to trust outsiders too easily.
Some demonic cultivators used the pretense of treasure hunting to trick inexperienced cultivators into going out with them. Those cultivators never came back.
Han Changming was a little unconvinced. He wouldn't leave on his own, but he felt Han Changjiong was exaggerating.
His clan uncle had told him similar things many times. He didn't believe there were so many demonic cultivators in the world.
He couldn't really be blamed. Protected by his family and elders, he had always lived in peace. His last encounter with demonic cultivators had been a chance occurrence, and he believed there were more good people than bad. Still, he knew his family was his support. He could trust his clansmen, but outsiders were another matter.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Changjiong led Han Changming into a teahouse.
Tinghai Teahouse was the largest teahouse in Kuixing Market. Its pastries were quite good, but more importantly, many cultivators liked to come here to drink tea and chat. It was a good place to gather information, and also a gathering place for demon hunters.
Cultivators who made their living hunting demon beasts were called demon hunters. Most were Rogue Cultivators, and hunting demon beasts was dangerous; people died all the time. When demon hunters wanted to recruit more people, they usually came to teahouses.
Han Changjiong and Han Changming sat down at an empty table on the second floor. Their seats were by the street, giving them a clear view of the passersby.
As soon as they sat down, a young attendant in a green shirt came over and asked warmly, "Daoist Han, what would you like?"
The attendant was also a cultivator, at the first level of Qi Refining.
From the way the attendant spoke, Han Changjiong seemed to be a regular here.
Han Changjiong waved a hand. "The usual. And bring it out quickly."
"Seventh Brother, do you come here for tea often?" Han Changming asked casually.
"Mm. Demon hunters usually come here to hunt for demon beasts. You can hear all sorts of news here. And, well, the view's pretty nice too." As he spoke, Han Changjiong gazed toward the people on the street.
Han Changming paused. "The view's pretty nice?"
Han Changjiong's eyes suddenly lit up. He swallowed hard, wearing a lecherous grin.
Seeing this, Han Changming followed his gaze curiously. A blue-skirted young woman in her early thirties was walking down the street, her figure alluring.
Han Changming felt his mouth go dry and quickly looked away.
He looked at Han Changjiong's lecherous expression and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Now he understood what Han Changjiong meant by "the view."
Before long, the green-shirted attendant brought out the pastries and tea, set them down, and left.
"Ninth Brother, these are some of Tinghai Teahouse's most famous pastries. Don't be shy. Order more if they're not enough."
After speaking, Han Changjiong picked up a pastry and began eating, his gaze drifting toward the passersby on the street.
Han Changming sighed softly and picked up a pastry.
As he ate, he listened to the conversations of the cultivators around him,
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